Barrel locking mechanism for a break-open-action firearm

ABSTRACT

A barrel locking mechanism for a break-open-action firearm comprising a pivotally connected barrel section and receiver section, wherein the barrel locking mechanism comprises a barrel back plate secured to the receiver section, a spring loaded lever clip arm secured to the barrel section, and a spring loaded U-shaped lever arm secured to the receiver section, wherein the U-shaped lever arm secures the lever clip to the barrel back plate.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a completion application of co-pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/082,854, filed Nov. 21, 2014, for “Barrel Locking Mechanism for a Break-Open-Action Firearm,” the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety including the drawing.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to barrel locking mechanisms for break-open-action styled firearms. More particularly, the present invention concerns locking mechanisms for locking the barrel section of a break-open-action firearm in the firing position. Even more particularly, the present invention concerns freestanding locking mechanisms that can be initially installed on a break-open action firearm or sold as part of a retrofitting kit and retroactively fitted to an existing break-open-action firearm.

2. Description of Related Art

Break-open-action firearms can be effectively used across a broad spectrum of applied force and are available in both lethal and less lethal form. The break-open-action configuration of these firearms provides for easy loading and unloading of the barrel, but, consequently, requires a barrel locking mechanism for locking the barrel section in the firing position.

Barrel locking mechanisms for break-open-action styled firearms are known in several forms. Each known locking mechanism must be initially installed or provided at the time the product is machined. In one popular configuration, the barrel locking mechanism resides atop the over/under-double-barreled barrel section and functions as a lever clip comprising a distal end and a proximal end. The distal end is farthest from the muzzle. The lever clip includes a downwardly protruding lip at its distal end that slides over a ledge extending from the barrel back plate, as the barrel section is rotated into the firing position. The lever clip forms a mechanical interlock with the ledge thereby holding the barrel section in the firing position. The lever clip is released by pulling up on the distal end or by pressing down upon the proximal end fitted into a trough machined into the top of the barrel.

In another commercially available configuration, a U-shaped lever arm is positioned over and about the top of the receiver section of the firearm, and located directly behind the barrel back plate. The U-shaped lever arm is machined directly into the receiver section and is rotatable about a pin connection. The U-shaped lever arm has a bight section that traverses the width of the receiver section and two open-ended arms that extend downwardly along the sides of the receiver section. Functioning as a spring-loaded latch, the U-shaped lever arm is retracted by the user by pressing downward and toward the barrel section on at least one of its open-ended arms and against the spring force. The U-shaped lever arm is then released over the receiver section of the firearm, thus locking the barrel section to the receiver section in the firing position.

The barrel section is secured in the firing position with a two-portion mechanical interlocking mechanism by a first and second portion jointly secured to one another. The first portion is a lever clip, which slides over a protruding lip extending from the barrel back plate, and forms a mechanical interlock therewith. The second mechanical interlocking mechanism is a U-shaped lever arm comprising a bight section, which extends over the lever clip, and secures behind the upwardly protruding lip, thereby locking the lever clip in place. This configuration is not freestanding, nor can it be retrofitted to an existing break-open-action firearm comprising a barrel section that is void of a functioning barrel locking mechanism. This configuration is also not easily replaceable.

U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2011/0072704 to Teach, Jr. et al. discloses a barrel locking mechanism that includes an ejector slidably retained within the barrel section comprising a cross member and two parallel blanks that slide within a longitudinal slot formed in the sides of the barrel section. The movement of the ejector is limited to the length of a secondary slot. Moreover, a plurality of tabs extend outwardly from the sides of each leg of the ejector. The cross member also has a pair of nubs that protrude rearwardly, opposite the legs of the ejector. Each nub has a chamber on its lower edge. When locked in the firing position, the nubs fit into side notches formed in the barrel back plate, thus locking the barrel section in the firing position. The barrel locking mechanism taught in Teach functions to partially eject from the rear end of the barrel sleeve and to engage the barrel back plate to lock the barrel section in the firing position. When the user wants to rotate the barrel section to the unlocked or loading/unloading position, the user must push forward on the tabs of the ejector. Forward movement of the ejector retracts the nubs from the notches and allows the barrel section to pivot forward to the loading/unloading position.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,718,186 to Mattarelli discloses interlocking elements arranged at the sidewalls of the break-open-action barrel. The elements are fashioned so that they engage in cutouts in the sidewalls of the barrel and lock the barrel into the firing position.

The above publications are identified herein in recognition of a duty of disclosure of related subject matter, which may be relevant under 37 CFR 1.56, and specifically incorporated herein by reference as regards the conventional approaches and constructions taught herein.

Each of the related art mechanisms have inherent drawbacks. For example, differing distributions of wear and tear on the components of the related art cause the several components thereof to suffer an increasing loss of effectiveness as time goes by, eventually rendering them ineffective.

Therefore, while each of the devices disclosed in the prior published documents are suitable for the uses and problems they intend to solve, there is an ongoing need for improvements in the design of barrel locking mechanisms for break-open-action firearms, such as a freestanding barrel locking mechanism which can either be installed at the time of manufacture of the firearm or retrofitted to any existing break-open-action firearm.

It is to this to which the present invention is directed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a barrel locking mechanism that can either be initially installed or retrofitted to a break-open-action firearm.

The barrel locking mechanism of the present invention generally comprises: (a) a barrel back plate secured to a receiver section of a firearm; (b) a spring loaded lever clip secured to a barrel section of a firearm; and (c) a spring loaded U-shaped lever arm secured to the receiver section for locking the lever clip to the barrel back plate.

The U-shaped lever arm is freestanding comprising two associated open-ended side arms and an integrally formed bight section interconnecting the side arms at a point from which the side arms project. The U-shaped lever arm secures the barrel section of the firearm to the receiver section as described below.

The lever clip includes a distal end that is directionally positioned proximate the U-shaped lever arm, when installed, and a proximal end that is fixedly secured atop the barrel section of the firearm. The lever clip includes a protruding lip that extends upwardly and downwardly from the lever clip itself at the distal end of the lever clip.

Break-open-action firearms have a barrel section that pivots between an open, load/unload, or unlocked position and a locked or firing position. Functionally, the barrel section is secured in the firing position by the barrel locking mechanism of the present invention. Preferably, in practice, the barrel locking mechanism of the present invention can be either initially installed on or provided as a retrofit kit for retrofitting to a break-open-action firearm.

These together with other aspects of the present invention, along with the various features of novelty that characterize the present invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed hereto and form a part of the present invention. For a better understanding of the present invention, its operating advantages, and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be made to the accompanying drawing and detailed description in which:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a side view of a handheld projectile launcher fitted with the barrel locking mechanism of the present invention in the locked firing position;

FIG. 2 is a side view of a handheld projectile launcher fitted with the barrel locking mechanism of the present invention in the load/unload position;

FIG. 3 is a top view of a handheld projectile launcher fitted with the barrel locking mechanism of present invention in the load/unload position;

FIG. 4 is a rear view of handheld projectile launcher fitted with the barrel locking mechanism of the present invention; and

FIG. 5 is a front view of a handheld projectile launcher fitted with the barrel locking mechanism of present invention in the load/unload position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIGS. 1-4 in the drawing, wherein like numerals indicate like parts throughout the several views, a barrel locking mechanism in accordance with the present invention is denoted at 10. The barrel locking mechanism 10 of the present invention is for use in conjunction with break-open-action firearms. In practice, the freestanding barrel locking mechanism 10 of the present invention can be initially installed or retrofitted to a single or double barreled break-open-action firearm 13. The firearm 13 can be either a handheld or shoulder-fired configuration comprising a barrel section 12 and a receiver section 14 as described hereinbelow.

The barrel locking mechanism 10 of the present invention includes a U-shaped lever arm 16. The U-shaped lever arm 16 is formed from iron, steel, or another suitable metal material known to one of ordinary skill in the art. The U-shaped lever arm 16 comprises two spaced apart open-ended side arms 20 a, 20 b and an integral intermediate bight section 18 interconnecting the side arms 20 a, 20 b. The side arms 20 a, 20 b extend downwardly along the sides of the receiver section 14.

At least two pins, a first pin 22 a and a second pin 22 b, are used to secure the U-shaped lever arm 16 to the firearm 13.

Means for biasing, such as a first and a second pin spring (only one of which is shown) at 24, is used to load the U-shaped lever arm 16. The first and second pin springs 24 each have a first end 26 a and a second end 26 b opposite one another, respectively, which wraps around each of the pins 22 a, 22 b.

The mechanism further includes a spring-loaded lever clip 28. The lever clip 28 mounts atop the barrel section 12 of the firearm 13. The lever clip 28 has a top edge 27, a bottom edge 29, a distal end 30, and a proximal end 32. A biasing member 31, such as a pin is used to secure the lever clip 28 atop the barrel section 12.

The lever clip 28, as shown in FIG. 2, has an upward protrusion 36 that extends upwardly from the distal end 30 of the lever clip 28 and a downward protrusion 38 that extends downward from the distal end 30 of the lever clip 28. The downward protrusion 38 mates and locks behind a barrel back plate 44 of the receiver section 14 as described below, thereby preliminarily securing the barrel section 12 to the receiver section 14. The upward protrusion 36 forms an incline 37 that slopes from the upward protrusion 36 down to the top edge 27 of the lever clip 28. The upward protrusion 36 creates a stop for the bight section 18 of the U-shaped lever arm 16, thereby securing the U-shaped lever arm 16 over the lever clip 28 and affixing the barrel section 12 to the receiver section 14 in the firing position. The biasing member 31 forms a pin connection 40, which secures the proximal end 32 of the lever clip 28 atop the barrel section 12.

Means for loading, such as a lever spring 42, is placed beneath the lever clip 28 nearest its proximal end 32 to provide a spring force to the lever clip 28.

The barrel locking mechanism 10 of the present invention can be utilized as an O.E.M. part, retrofitted to an existing firearm, or sold as a retrofit kit.

As noted above, the present invention is particularly adapted for use with a break-open-action firearm such as a projectile launcher. The barrel section 12 of typical break-open-action firearms generally comprise a muzzle 34 at a free end 15. The barrel section 12 is pivotally connected to a receiver section 14 at a second end 17 opposite the free end 15.

The barrel back plate 44 is machined out of a suitable metal material, such as iron, steel or the like. As shown in FIG. 5, the barrel back plate 44 is fixedly secured to the receiver section 14 by means for fastening 68 directly into the receiver section 14. A first parabolic flange member 70 a and a second parabolic flange member 70 b extend from the barrel back plate 44 toward and about the receiver section 14. The first and second parabolic flange members 70 a, 70 b are secured to the receiver section 14 by the opposed pins 22 a, 22 b. A first upward flange member 72 a and second upward flange member 72 b each extend upwardly from the top of the barrel back plate 44. The first and second upward flange members 72 a, 72 b form a first trough 74 therebetween defining a ledge 76. Further, there is a divot 77, which can be seen in FIG. 3, formed within the barrel back plate 44 behind the ledge 76 permitting the distal end 30 of the lever clip 28 to fit within while in the firing position.

The barrel section 12 is secured to the receiver section 14, while in the firing position, by the barrel-locking mechanism 10 of the present invention, which interacts with the barrel back plate 44 as described in detail below.

In use, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the U-shaped lever arm 16 is positioned over and about the receiver section 14 of the firearm 13 directly behind the barrel back plate 44. The open-ended side arms 20 a, 20 b of the U-shaped lever arm 16 extend downwardly along and about the receiver section 14, as can be seen in FIG. 4. The bight section 18 traverses the width of the top of the barrel section 12 and interconnects the side arms 20 a, 20 b.

As shown in FIGS. 1-3., the first and second pins 22 a, 22 b secure the U-shaped lever arm 16 and barrel back plate 44 to the receiver section 14 on opposite sides thereof. A hole 90 a, 90 b is formed in each associated side arm 20 a, 20 b. Each pin 22 a, 22 b extends through an associated hole 90 a, 90 b in the side arms 20 a, 20 b of the U-shaped lever arm 16 and into a hole 92 a, 92 b in one of the parabolic flange members 70 a, 70 b of the barrel back plate 44.

Each pin spring 24 wraps around its associated pin 22 a, 22 b. The pin springs 24 a, 24 b provide a resistance and/or spring loading to the U-shaped lever arm 16 when attached to the firearm 13. The first end 26 a of each pin spring 24 is in contact with the barrel back plate 44 and the second end 26 b of each pin spring 24 is in contact with the respective side arm 20 a, 20 b of the U-shaped lever arm 16.

As shown in FIG. 1, the lever clip 28 is positioned along the top of the barrel section 12 in a second trough 82 defined by a third flange member 80 a and a fourth flange member 80 b provided in the barrel section 12. The third and fourth flange members 80 a, 80 b extend upwardly from the top of the barrel section 12.

Means for loading, preferably a lever spring 42, is placed in the second trough 94 beneath the lever clip 28 nearest its proximal end 32 providing a spring loading to the lever clip 28.

When the barrel section 12 is pivotally rotated into the firing position, the lever clip 28 extends over the ledge 76 defined by the first trough 74 formed between the first and second upward flange members 72 a, 72 b extending upwardly from the barrel back plate 44. The downward protrusion 38 of the lever clip 28 latches over the ledge 76 formed at the top of the barrel back plate 44 and preliminarily locks the barrel section 12 in the firing position.

The U-shaped lever arm 16 secures the barrel section 12 to the receiver section 14 in the firing position. The bight section 18 of the U-shaped lever arm 16 is retracted by applying force to an end of either side arms 20 a, 20 b. The bight section 18 is then released by discontinuing the application of force on the end of the side arms 20 a, 20 b. The bight section 18 locks over the upward protrusion 36 formed at the distal end 30 of the lever clip 28. The U-shaped lever arm 16 slides down the incline 37 that slopes from the upward protrusion 36, down to the top edge 27 of the lever clip 28, and is secured over and about the barrel back plate 44 forming a mechanical interlock therewith, thereby securing the barrel section 12 in the firing position.

In the preferred embodiment hereof and as shown in FIG. 1, the present invention is displayed in connection with an over-under double barreled, handheld, break-open-action projectile launcher 13. Such launchers are designed to fire 37 mm and 40 mm caliber projectiles.

The receiver section 14 includes a bottom portion 46, a middle portion 48, and a top portion 50. The receiver section 14 further includes the barrel back plate 44. The bottom portion 46 of the receiver section 14 forms a handle grip 52 and a trigger guard 54. The middle portion 48 of the receiver section 14 forms a base 56 for securing the barrel back plate 44 thereto. The top portion 50 forms a mount 58 for a scope, video camera, or other visual apparatus.

A solid fifth flange member 60 extends outwardly from a distal end 62 of the bottom portion 46 of the receiver section 14 and passes under the barrel back plate 44 for connection to the barrel section 12. The solid fifth flange member 60 has a hole 64 therein for receiving a roll pin 66, which pivotally connects the barrel section 12 to the receiver section 14.

As shown in FIG. 1, the barrel section 12 comprises at least one medial axial bore formed barrel 78 comprising a top 79 and a bottom 81. The third and fourth flange members 80 a, 80 b extend upwardly from the top of the barrel 78 defining the second trough 82 along the length thereof.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, sixth and seventh flange members 84 (only one of which is shown), respectively, extend downwardly from the bottom of the barrel 78. The sixth and seventh flange members 84 have a hole 86, therein for receiving the roll pin 66 therethrough. The roll pin 66 pivotally connects the barrel section 12 to the receiver section 14 of the firearm 13. The sixth and seventh flange members 84 are fitted about the solid fifth flange member 60. The roll pin 66 extends horizontally and orthogonal to the barrel 78 through the hole 86 formed in the sixth flange member 84, through a hole 64 formed in the fifth flange member 60 that extends from the receiver section 14, and finally through the hole formed in the seventh flange member. The roll pin 66 is secured at both ends with a flat head connection, as shown at 88. The roll pin 66 functions as the bearing upon which the barrel section 12 pivots when rotated from the load/unload position to the firing position.

When the barrel section 12 is rotated into the firing position it is locked in place with the barrel locking mechanism 10 of the present invention.

The barrel locking mechanism 10 of the present invention may be used in connection with any other break-open-action-firearm 13.

The barrel locking mechanism can be initially installed on a firearm during manufacture. Alternatively, the barrel locking mechanism 10 can be sold on its own or in a prepackaged retrofit kit and retrofitted to an existing or worn break-open-action firearm. In such an instance, the spring loaded pins 22 a, 22 b would be attached or machined into the existing or worn firearm. The U-shaped lever arm 16 would interact with the existing barrel locking mechanism of the desired firearm similar to its interaction with the spring-loaded lever clip 28 as described above.

The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. 

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is:
 1. A barrel locking mechanism for a break-open-action firearm including a barrel section and a receiver section, the barrel locking mechanism comprises: (a) a barrel back plate fixedly secured to the receiver section, the barrel back plate comprising a first and second upward flange member extending upwardly from the barrel back plate, a ledge interconnecting the first and second upward flange members to form a first trough, a divot formed within the barrel back plate behind the ledge, and a first and second parabolic flange members extending toward and about the receiver section; (b) a lever clip pivotally secured to the barrel section having a distal end and a proximal end; and (c) a U-shaped lever arm pivotally secured to the receiver section for locking the lever clip to the barrel back plate, the U-shaped lever arm comprising a bight section and opposed side arms extending downward therefrom.
 2. The barrel locking mechanism of claim 1 further comprising a pair of opposed pins for securing the U-shaped lever arm and barrel back plate to the receiver section.
 3. The barrel locking mechanism of claim 2 further comprising a pair of opposed pin springs, each of the pin springs including a first end and a second end, each of the pin springs being wrapped around an associated pin of the pair of pins, the first end being situated against the barrel back plate, the second end being situated against an associated side arm of the U-shaped lever arm.
 4. The barrel locking mechanism of claim 1 wherein the lever clip further comprises an upward protrusion extending upwardly from the distal end to thereby form a slope, the slope being angled upwardly toward the U-shaped lever arm, and a downward protrusion that extends downwardly from the distal end, the distal end of the lever clip extends through the first trough when the barrel section and receiver section are mated.
 5. The barrel locking mechanism of claim 1 further comprising a lever spring disposed between the lever clip and the barrel section.
 6. The barrel locking mechanism of claim 1 further comprising a third and fourth upward flange member extending upwardly from the barrel section forming a second trough, the lever clip being disposed within the second trough.
 7. The barrel locking mechanism of claim 6 further comprising a biasing member extending through the lever spring and the second trough pivotally connecting the lever spring to the second trough.
 8. A break-open-action firearm comprising: (a) a receiver section including a bottom portion, a middle portion, and a top portion, the bottom portion further comprises a handle grip, a trigger guard, and a fifth flange member, the fifth flange member, the middle portion forms a base for securing the barrel back plate thereto, the top portion forms a mount for a visual apparatus; (b) a barrel section including at least one barrel, the barrel comprising a medial axial bore formed therethrough, the barrel section further comprises a sixth and seventh flange member extending downwardly from the at least one barrel fitted about the fifth flange member; (c) a roll pin extending through the fifth flange member of the receiver section and the sixth and seventh flange members of the barrel section thereby pivotally connecting the receiver section and barrel section; and (d) a barrel locking mechanism comprising a barrel back plate fixedly secured to the receiver section, a lever clip pivotally secured to the barrel section, and a U-shaped lever arm pivotally secured to the receiver section for locking the lever clip to the barrel back plate; (d) the barrel back plate comprising a first and second upward flange member extending upwardly from the barrel back plate, a ledge interconnecting the first and second upward flange members to form a first trough, a divot formed within the barrel back plate behind the ledge, and a first and second parabolic flange member extending toward and about the receiver section; (e) the lever clip comprising a distal end and a proximal end; and (f) the U-shaped lever arm comprises a bight section and opposed arms extending downward therefrom.
 9. The firearm of claim 8 further comprising a pair of opposed pins for securing the U-shaped lever arm and barrel back plate to the receiver section.
 10. The firearm of claim 9 further comprising a pair of opposed pin springs, each of the pin springs having a first end and a second end, each of the pin springs being wrapped around an associated pin of the pair of pins, the first end being situated against the barrel back plate, the second end being situated against an associated side arm of the U-shaped lever arm.
 11. The firearm of claim 8 wherein the lever clip further comprises an upward protrusion extending upwardly from the distal end to form a slope, the slope being angled upwardly towards the U-shaped lever arm, and a downward protrusion that extends downwardly from the distal end, the distal end of the lever clip extends through the first trough when the barrel section and receiver section are mated.
 12. The firearm of claim 8 further comprising a lever spring disposed between the lever clip and the barrel section.
 13. The firearm of claim 8 further comprising a third and fourth upward flange member extending upwardly from the barrel section forming a second trough, the lever clip being disposed within the second trough.
 14. The firearm of claim 13 further comprising a biasing member extending through the lever spring and the second trough pivotally connecting the lever spring to the second trough.
 15. The firearm of claim 8 wherein the firearm is an over-under, double barreled, handheld, break-open-action projectile launcher. 